This belonged to a since passed family member and is now residing in my safe. It has provenance to the family as it has a name, hometown, and 1931 written inside the grip. All that to say, we were not terribly close and I'm not going to base my decision on what to do with it just because it was "in the family".

All of my research points to it being a 5 screw model that was made somewhere circa 1931. The serial is 632xxx. Numbers are matching on it aside from the assembly numbers in their two obvious places. Condition is not perfect by any means but not too shabby considering its age. The front sight post is a little wobbly but it looks to be original to the gun as are the grips.

Here it is....let me know if you need more pics to help identify and thank you for your time.

Edit I’ll have to host the pics somewhere.

What a family treasure! Keep and shoot. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Very nice family heirloom. You've accurately identified it as a K-22 Outdoorsman 1st Model. According to the S&W Standard Catalog 4th edition the first serial number in 1931 was 632132 so yours is an early gun. Any chance you can find the box and papers that accompanied it? Even if not in the best of condition I would think value is around $1k. If it were mine, I'd keep it and shoot it occasionally. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

It appears that it just needs a little cleaning and possibly stabilizing a little surface rust. I'm betting it still shoots great. That $1000 est. might not bee too far off.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

There are no papers or box available.

When you say stabilizing surface rust, is this just a preventative measure or can it actually clean up any?

Get some Blue Wonder cleaner and it will take the rust off but leave the bluing okay. Then just make sure the surface of the metal is coated with some oil or Strike Hold.

Guy

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Definitely 1931. This one starts 638xxx and shipped in late September '31.



Kind of looks like yours has the Marble sight that mine has.

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Psalm 27:2

Thanks Jeff. Apparently very early then as the next digit is 2. If your info is correct, this is one of the first 200 made.

0000 steel wool with some solvent perhaps? I can't seem to locate blue wonder and I have a ton of clp and hoppes 9.

Not steel wool, it'll scratch the surface. Get a copper chore boy pad or some bronze wool. I usually soak my guns in Ed's Red which is automatic transmission fluid and acetone and kerosene and mineral spirits in equal parts. Also just ATF and acetone will do an excellent job of penetrating. In a recent test it came in number two behind liquid wrench.

Guy

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Chore Boy copper wool can usually be found in supermarkets. Use it with any light oil or even bore cleaner.